CFIN Calls for Reduction in Food Industry Plastics With $500K Challenge
The Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN) supports Canadian food and beverage companies looking to innovate, develop, and adopt new products and services to improve the industry. The Innovation Booster and Challenge streams of CFIN are designed to make Canada a leader on the global stage.
The Food Innovation Challenge is a unique funding opportunity for Canadian food industry collaborators who want to spearhead transformative improvements that will propel the food sector forward and generate significant economic impact.
Canadian Food Innovation Network
Recently, CFIN has announced the next call for their Challenge stream which will focus on projects that will reduce single use plastics in Canada’s food industry through research and development (R&D) efforts, with emphasis on plastics solutions for food: reduction, replacement, and recycling.
An open call will be launched by CFIN for Canadian collaborations to conduct research, develop, and demonstrate plastic alternatives that will enhance recyclability or industrial composting of food products. Applicants will need to participate in a two-stage application process that starts with submitting a letter of intent (LOI). After the LOI, applicants that have been selected will be invited to complete a full proposal.
Funding Amount
CFIN will match 50% of total eligible project costs up to $1 million. Total eligible project costs should range from $1 million to $4 million. 5% of total project costs which are eligible for CFIN funding will be charged as a nonrefundable project management fee.
Eligible Applicants
To be eligible for the CFIN Challenge stream, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Initiatives should be industry-led and collaborative;
- Collaboration between a Lead Applicant and partners who are Canadian incorporated, and all must be members of CFIN;
- At least one SME (499 or fewer employees, and less than $50M in annual revenue) must participate;
- Make sure that at least two independent private companies participate in the process; and
- A broader range of partners is encouraged, including organizations, businesses and SMEs, universities, colleges, research centers, etc.
Eligible Activities
Eligible activities for this CFIN Challenge stream call may include:
- A section of industrial research concerned with discovering new knowledge and developing new technology-driven products, processes, or services at early stage TRL levels; and
- Developing new technologies into product-specific applications at mid-to-late stage TRLs, including large-scale technology demonstrations. Research and near-commercialization activities should be covered by projects across a broad range of TRLs.
CFIN Program Timelines
The September 1, 2022, call for the CFIN Food Innovation Challenge will be called “Plastics Solutions for Food: Reduction, Replacement, and Recyclability.” Deadline for letters of intent is October 11th, 2022, at 11:59PM. Due date for full proposals is December 16th, 2022, at 11:59PM.
Government Funding for Food and Beverage Companies
Using Mentor Works’ Food and Beverage Program Directory, you can find Canadian government funding programs for farming, food, and beverage businesses. Programs found in our directory are available to food producers, beverage manufacturers, and Canadian farmers for hiring new employees, training them, and purchasing equipment.
Also, sign up for our government funding newsletter to receive the latest funding news delivered right to your inbox as a weekly digest every Monday afternoon.